The DownsideThe
Studio 100v4s are not small, and need a good amount of space behind
them to really show off their bass capabilities. If you need something
to go close to the front wall, the Studio 100v4s may not be your best
choice. However, Paradigm has a variety of speakers suited for such an
occasion. The center is three feet wide before you put the grille and
feet on, and just over that width afterwards, so its size can cause
placement issues, especially in small or medium-sized rooms. The bass
produced by the mains and especially the subwoofer is extreme, so if
your room is poorly constructed, or you share a wall with neighbors,
you might want to reconsider these bass monsters for something further
down in the Paradigm line. Looks always are subjective. I liked the
industrial look of the speakers with the grilles off, while my wife
liked the grilles on. Obviously, you’ll need to make your own judgment
here. Though not quite as smooth in the upper end or as tightly defined
in the bass as my Canton 809 DCs, the differences are subtle and the
Studio 100v4s offer amazing lower bass reproduction at less than half
the Canton’s price.

Conclusion
The Studio
100v4s are phenomenal speakers, offering a vast dynamic range mated
with nimble highs and full, deep bass. The matching CC-690 center and
Studio ADP-590 surround speakers blend together seamlessly, giving
smooth transitions for multi-channel audio and movies. Paradigm
produces this system almost entirely in-house and has done a fantastic
job with them. The Servo 15v2 subwoofer offers a multitude of options
for control and connection, making it easy to integrate into this or
any system and/or room. The seemingly limitless clean bass produced by
this sub is awesome and I can’t imagine needing or wanting more. Even
on my most brutal tests, the Servo 15v2 never flinched; it simply shook
everything around it. I was constantly impressed during my movie
sessions with these speakers. While I’ve heard far more expensive
speaker systems, few bettered the Paradigms for theater sound. Their
slightly forward nature, combined with limitless depth of bass, made
for a theater experience rarely found at any price, let alone what
these sell for.

When shopping for audio gear, we all have our price points, and accept
the limitations they impose on us. This new Paradigm system can change
that, offering huge performance at a realistic cost. I doubt you could
find a better speaker system at this price, though you could easily
spend more on a lesser one. If you are in the market for a new speaker
system for your home theater, go listen to the Paradigm Studios and
stop accepting compromises.